Last week Outlook Expeditions became the proud bearers of a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.
What is it?
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge provides, for the first time, a national accreditation in the form of one easily recognisable and trusted Quality Badge. The Badge will become a national benchmark to assist schools in identifying external providers who combine the essential elements of outdoor provision – learning and safety – through delivering good quality teaching and learning experiences and managing risk effectively.
What does it mean for me?
Basically it means that we do exactly what we say we do! This can now be recognised not only by lots of happy participants, parents and schools but by a shiny badge and our name on a list of the highest quality providers of outdoor experiences.
What did Outlook need to do to be awarded this?
The Quality Badge is awarded to providers who have pledged to engage in an ongoing process to sustain high-quality learning outside the classroom and who have demonstrated that they meet six quality indicators.
Outlook were assessed over a period of time against specific crieteria matching these quality indicators. This took place through interviews and questioning with parents, participants, teachers, leaders and full time technical and expedition operations staff. Outlook were inspected at various stages of the expedition process including Group Development/Training Days and Expedition Training.
Overseas expeditions are recognised as being one of the most effective ways of
helping young people gain understanding of other countries and cultures as well as contributing to areas such as improved health and fitness, personal and social development and being risk aware.
You can find out more about the LOtC Quality badge and check us out on that list at www.lotcqualitybadge.org.uk
